Nowadays, running out of checks probably doesn't happen too often. The number of checks written out by people fell by more than half between 2000 and 2012, according to a Federal Reserve study released recently. But, when you finally do use up that last check, you may be hit with quite a shock. Checks ordered through your bank can cost $25 or more per box. But, you can search the Web for cheaper checks (and more personal designs) as long as you ensure the check printing company is a reputed one.

A quick survey of online prices for standard checks shows that you can easily save a lot by ordering through a third-party vendor. If going to a third-party vendor, rather than to your bank, makes you insecure remember that banks don't really print checks themselves anyway. They send your check order to a third-party printer, say Deluxe or Harland Clarke. By going to an outside vendor, you're really cutting out the middleman.